New Clark City’s Aquatic Center Readying For 2019 SEA Games

This year marks the 30th edition of the biannual SEA Games, with the multi-sport production set to be hosted by the Philippines.

11 countries from around the region typically participate in the prestigious event, with the Philippines having played host both in 1981 and in 1991. This year’s hosting rights were originally awarded to Brunei Darussalam, but the country pulled out days before the 2015 Southeast Asian Games due to “financial and logistical reasons.”

The swimming portion of this year’s SEA Games will take place December 2nd through December 6th and we reported in February of this year that the event received an extra boost by way of FINA‘s sanctioning the competition as a qualifying meet for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Pool swimming will be contested in the newly-constructed Aquatic Center at New Clark City in Capas Town, Tarlac. The venue is set to house 2,000 spectators and will contain a 10-lane competition pool, an 8-lane training pool, and a diving pool.

The design for the Aquatics Center shows the coastal heritage of the Filipino people, depicting Capiz shells used as windows, while the structural framing mimics the weaving patterns of the “baklad’” or woven fish nets. (Fox Sports)

“Before, these facilities were just a dream. Now, I’m happy to see our athletes training here as they make their country proud in the upcoming biennial games. The facilities are proof that government is serious in providing our athletes with a sports center that is truly world-class,” BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon said. (Fox Sports)